News Summary
U.S. Representative Jim Jordan was deposed under oath in a federal lawsuit concerning sexual abuse allegations against former Ohio State University doctor Richard Strauss. The lawsuit mentions OSU’s failure to protect athletes, with numerous claims of abuse during Strauss’s tenure. Jordan, linked to the wrestling team at OSU, has faced scrutiny over potential knowledge of the abuse. The deposition follows a recent documentary highlighting these issues and raising questions about accountability and transparency in collegiate sports.
Columbus, Ohio—U.S. Representative Jim Jordan was deposed under oath on July 7, 2023, as part of an ongoing lawsuit regarding allegations of sexual abuse of athletes by former Ohio State University (OSU) team doctor Dr. Richard Strauss. The deposition is part of a federal lawsuit initiated by former student-athletes who claim that OSU failed to prevent the abuse, which is documented to have involved nearly 1,500 acts of sexual assault during Strauss’s tenure from 1978 to 1998.
Jordan, who served as an assistant coach for the OSU wrestling team from 1986 to 1994, has faced significant scrutiny regarding whether he was aware of Strauss’s actions and failed to report them. Hundreds of former athletes have accused Strauss of sexual abuse, and many have voiced that Jordan was aware of the misconduct but did nothing to intervene.
The deposition followed the airing of the documentary Surviving Ohio State, produced by George Clooney and directed by Eva Orner, which premiered on June 17. The documentary features testimony from former OSU wrestlers who allege that Jordan had knowledge of the abuse during his coaching tenure. Furthermore, Jordan previously participated in an independent investigation into the matter but had not testified under oath until this recent deposition.
Jordan’s office has not confirmed details about the deposition but stated his persistent denial of having any knowledge of Strauss’s alleged crimes or a corresponding cover-up. He has consistently asserted that he “never saw or heard of any abuse” and has pledged that he would have acted had he been aware of any wrongdoing.
This deposition comes in the wake of mounting pressures from lawsuits and public allegations against OSU regarding their handling of sexual misconduct claims. OSU has reportedly reached settlements with nearly 300 survivors of Strauss’s abuse, who received an average payout of $252,000. However, former athletes have expressed their dissatisfaction with these settlements, indicating that compensation received in other high-profile abuse cases, such as that of Larry Nassar, was significantly higher.
As part of the discovery process in the ongoing federal lawsuit, attorneys representing the former student-athletes have interviewed several other individuals connected to the case, including the university’s former athletic director, Andy Geiger. The legal proceedings and the documentary have prompted renewed discussions surrounding OSU’s past actions and decisions related to allegations of sexual abuse.
The gravity of the allegations against Dr. Strauss and the concerning claims of a cover-up by OSU have sparked significant media attention and public discourse. The independent report released in 2019 revealed the extensive nature of Strauss’s offenses, exacerbating calls for accountability from key figures involved with the university during that period.
A key voice among former wrestlers, Michael DiSabato, has stated that awareness of other major sexual abuse scandals led him and others to recognize the victimization they suffered at the hands of Strauss. Such testimonies have strengthened calls for transparency and accountability within the institution, highlighting larger societal issues regarding the handling of sexual abuse allegations.
As the lawsuit progresses, the deposition of Jim Jordan stands as a critical development in uncovering the truth behind the allegations against Dr. Strauss and the subsequent responses of Ohio State University. The outcome of the legal proceedings may have lasting implications not just for the university but for institutional accountability in cases of sexual misconduct across collegiate sports.
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Jim Jordan Deposed in Ohio State Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Additional Resources
- Associated Press: Jim Jordan Deposed in Ohio State Abuse Case
- Los Angeles Times: Opinion on Ohio State Wrestling Abuse
- Dayton Daily News: Jim Jordan’s Deposition on Abuse Allegations
- 10TV: Jim Jordan Deposed in Federal Suit
- Ohio Capital Journal: Jim Jordan Knew About Strauss Abuse
- Wikipedia: Jim Jordan
- Google Search: Jim Jordan Ohio State Sexual Abuse
- Google Scholar: Ohio State Sexual Abuse Case Jim Jordan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sexual Abuse
- Google News: Jim Jordan Ohio State Abuse Lawsuit
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECleveland.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cleveland International Film Festival, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and the Cleveland Air Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Cleveland Partnership and Destination Cleveland, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Cleveland Clinic and Sherwin-Williams. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's dynamic landscape.
